Linkevičius: serious violations of international law are the biggest threat to security in Europe
On 19 May in Brussels, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius attends the annual session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The main focus of the session is on democratic security in Europe.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister underlined that serious violations of international law and of principles and standards of the Council of Europe were the biggest threat to democratic security in Europe.
“The annexation of Crimea, continuing Russian support for the separatists and terrorists in eastern Ukraine with weapons, failing to comply with the Minsk accords, and a crawling annexation of the occupied territories of Georgia send an alarm signal, which, if ignored, may undermine the fundamental values and principles that constitute the foundation of the Council of Europe,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.
The agenda of the ministerial session included a debate on the contribution of the Council of Europe to the fight against violent extremism and radicalisation after terrorist attacks in Europe, exchange of opinions on the Council of Europe’s role in response to the current crises and conflicts in Europe with particular emphasis on Ukraine and Georgia.
The Ministers also discussed the response of the Council of Europe to threats of extremism and radicalisation leading to terrorism. The Ministers endorsed an Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, criminalising participation in a terrorist group or travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism, as well as training, organising or funding travel for that purpose.
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe welcomed measures adopted by EU institutions and countries to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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